The
Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring has been involved in
assessing nonpoint source pollution since the 1980's.
Nonpoint source pollution refers to contaminants that
enter the water from sources such as stormwater runoff,
boating wastes and failing septic systems. The Bureau
has developed methods for monitoring this type of pollution
to better understand ways to reduce or eliminate impacts
from nonpoint sources. The goal is to improve coastal
water quality to make additional waters available for
shellfish harvest, reduce impacts to bathing beaches and
to improve the ecological health of New Jersey's coastal
waters.

Toms
River Nonpoint Source Load Study:
Conducted from 1994 to 2000 to study the relationship
between pollutant loads (quantities) and land use (urban,
residential, undeveloped). Work was performed in tributaries
of the Toms River in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Navesink
River Bacterial Source Tracking: The Department recently
started a program to identify nonpoint sources of pollution
that have caused the water quality in the Upper Navesink
River to be degraded for many years. A meeting was held
on September 21, 2005 to discuss the plans of the department
and its' partners. Partners include the Monmouth County
Health Department, Monmouth County Planning Board, Navesink
River Municipalities Committee, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and NJDEP's
Division of Watershed Management.